CHILDLESSNESS is the cause of heartbreak for many couples. Infertility treatment, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), has been available at Salisbury District Hospital since 1996.

Now a new centre licensed in December by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority offers a complete service on site, avoiding the necessity for women to travel to hospitals outside the area for parts of the treatment.

"In the past, we have had to use a transport IVF service, which means that eggs collected here have to be sent to a licensed laboratory somewhere else for the embryos to be created," explains Salisbury Fertility Centre embryologist Dr Nicola Monks.

"Patients had to travel to a strange hospital and deal with new staff to complete their treatment."

Now they can be treated on the doorstep, so to speak, and given the support of people they know well.

Colleague Bridget Barker agrees.

"It's a sensitive and emotional time and the treatment can be gruelling and traumatic."

Both women are part of the team at the Salisbury Fertility Centre, headed up by consultant Shaun Fountain.

Embryologist Mark Howard manages the laboratory, Jo Drag is the centre's nurse co-ordinator and Libby Higginson its administrator.

The centre is a privately funded, independent unit, currently working in partnership with the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department where it is based.

It has ambitious plans to expand into its own purpose-built premises on the hospital site.

Initial success rates are good, says Bridget.

"Numbers of pregnancies achieved are currently above the national average."

Patients come via the NHS or private referral and initially see Mr Fountain to discuss the options of treatment.

Decision taken, a course of medication is given and couples are also offered the services of a specialist counsellor who can listen to their concerns.

Says Nicola: "Everything happens at the couple's pace - people are often surprised that it doesn't have to be a huge drama.

"With the correct information we can help them on the journey they are taking although we can't guarantee the outcome."

Egg collection is done under general anaesthetic and sperm is collected and prepared prior to introduction to the eggs which is done under laboratory conditions later the same day.

After two days, the resulting embryos are selected for transfer and the woman returns for what the embryologists describe as the next big team event.

Rigorous checks are made at each stage to rule out the mix-ups that have made recent tabloid headlines.

Introduction of the embryos into the womb is monitored by ultrasound, which means that the couple can watch the procedure on the screen.

"It's a special moment for them," says Nicola.

Bridget puts it in perspective.

"It's a clinical procedure.

"The position is inelegant, but the outcome could be wonderful and that's what they are focussed on."

A tense two week wait follows before a pregnancy can be confirmed.

"You are very aware of when a pregnancy test comes in, so it's wonderful when they come up to you and say I'm feeling as sick as anything," says Bridget.

The centre is running an information evening for GPs on June 18. Contact them

on 01722 417224 for

details.